Scotland 3-1 Greece

Christie (64′) Ferguson (80′) Dykes (90+3′) Tsimikas (62′)

A gritty second-half comeback moved Scotland onto 7 points in Group C, as their World Cup sprint continued in dramatic fashion.

Ben Gannon-Doak had an early chance to stretch his legs in the first minute. The home side worked the ball to John McGinn on the edge of the box, but the Aston Villa captain’s shot was blocked.

Christos Tzolis featured for Club Brugge in a 9-1 Champions League thrashing against Rangers. He delivered a tantalising pass across the six-yard box after seven minutes, which Vangelis Pavlidis could not steer goalwards. It was a golden opportunity, which helped to settle Ivan Jovanovic’s side.

Greece continued to threaten in the opening 15 minutes, the home defence blocked an Anastasios Bakasetas strike inside the box, and Kostas Tsimikas blasted over from the resultant corner kick.

The visitors dominated possession, building on their last Hampden visit, which ended in a 3-0 victory. Their confident start was ominous for the frustrated home support.

Konstantinos Tzolakis eventually cleared John McGinn’s deep cross on 17 minutes as Scotland looked to wrestle control back in the game.

But despite surviving the early onslaught, Scotland were struggling to get their foot on the ball. The Greek press suffocated the home defence for large portions of the first period, allowing cheap turnovers in dangerous areas.

Pavlidis almost took advantage of their latest turnover on 32 minutes. After locating acres of space on the edge of the box, he drilled a low deflected shot, which Gunn had to be alert to parry away.

The match was goalless at halftime, and Scotland lacked an attacking edge. Steve Clarke’s side have one win in nine at Hampden Park, and would have to deliver a more assured second-half performance if they were to continue their positive start to Group C.

Scotland were awarded another let-off in the first minute of the second half. Tsimikas had space to pick out Pavlidis in the box with a left-hand cross, the striker sharply moved across Grant Hanley but headed over.

Greece played through Scotland with ease after 53 minutes. Tzolis and Pavlidis danced around several navy jerseys; the latter found Giorgos Masouras, who lashed over.

The goal finally arrived in the 62nd minute. A Pavlidis shot deflected into the path of the unmarked Tsimikas, who made no mistake to roll past Gunn. The goal felt inevitable and warranted the Greeks’ dominant showing.

Miraculously, Scotland struck level two minutes later. Ryan Christie bundled home Grant Hanley’s knockout after substitute Anthony Ralston had kept a Scotland corner alive.

A nervy VAR check ensued, but with the goal confirmed, relief could be felt all around Hampden Park.

Greece, to their credit, found their rhythm once more. The introduction of wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas offered further firepower in the visiting attack.

Che Adams almost converted an inventive free kick in the 73rd minute. He peeled into space at the front post, but his shot was deflected wide.

Hampden erupted in the 80th minute as Scotland found their second goal. Andy Robertson teased a free kick to the back post, which Greece failed to clear. Lewis Ferguson was alert to smash high into the net, completing an unlikely comeback.

The home side had six minutes of stoppage time to negotiate as they ticked closer to a precious victory. Gunn pushed a Karetsas strike round the post in the 91st minute to keep the Scots ahead.

Lyndon Dykes sealed the victory in the 93rd minute. Greek goalie Tzolakis spilt the ball into the striker’s path, who had the easy task of firing into the open goal.

Scotland laboured for 64 minutes, but took a major step towards a first World Cup appearance in 27 years. They welcome Belarus to Hampden on Sunday evening in their 4th qualifying game.

Scotland: Gunn 6 Hickey 6 Hanley 7 Souttar 6 Robertson 6 Gannon-Doak 6 Ferguson 6 Christie 7 McGinn 6 McTominay 6 Adams 6

Substitutes: Ralston 6 Gilmour 6 Tierney 6 Dykes 6 McKenna

Greece:Tzolakis 6 Vagiannidis 7 Mavropanos 6 Koulierakis 6 Tsimikas 7 Kourbelis 6 Zafeiris 7 Masouras 7 Baketsas 6 Tzolis 8 Pavlidis 7

Substitutes: Ioannidis 5 Karetsas 5 Konstantelias 5 Mouzakitis 4 Mantalos 4